Metropolitan Council Proposes Steps To Limit Disruption from Blue Line Construction

Metropolitan Council

MINNEAPOLIS - Metropolitan Council says it is working to minimize impacts to property during construction of the Blue Line Extension project.

According to the statement from the Metropolitan Council, the project was “designed to avoid relocating residents and tenants as much as possible.” However, an estimated 36 homes may need to be acquired to allow for construction to take place. As such, current residents of those homes will need to relocate. To minimize the impact to the community, Met Council says it tried to prioritize buildings that were “vacant, dilapidated, or non-functioning structures, whenever possible.” Based on a Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement, it anticipates 35 of 36 homes “will need to be purchased.” 18 of those buildings are commercial properties, and 14 are residential. Two properties are institutional, and one is undeveloped. The Metropolitan Council stresses that homeowners of impacted properties “have already been contacted directly by the project team.” Impacted residences are outlined in 60% project design plans.

Additionally, the Metropolitan Council anticipates acquiring “some permanent or temporary easements on private property” in order to construct the Blue Line Extension. According to the statement, this may include “a limited duration temporary construction easement or a small permanent easement on the edge of private property.” This would be utilized to widen a sidewalk or make other infrastructure improvements, the Metropolitan Council notes.

However, in order to prevent displacement and reduce community impacts, the Metropolitan Council says it identified two support programs as “mitigation strategies” in the Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement: the $5 million Business Support Program and the $5 million Community Investment Fund.

The $5 million Business Support Program would give up to $30,000 in rent or mortgage assistance to affected businesses. This is in an attempt to “maintain stability” during construction disruptions. The $5 million Community Investment Fund provides funds for housing and rent assistance to ensure “residents stay in their neighborhoods long-term.” Metropolitan Council states these are separate from relocation benefits and any other assistance that will be made available to displaced residents. These are also separate from a $10 million allocation from the state for the Blue Line Extension Anti-displacement Community Prosperity Program.